Elisabeth Hat

Elisabeth Hat by Stefanie Bold

What is Being Made

The Elisabeth Hat is a knitted beanie designed by Stefanie Bold featuring a distinctive cabled band construction. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted hat available in four sizes with head circumferences ranging from 53 to 59 cm (20 ⅞ to 23 ¼ inches). The design incorporates a decorative button accent and is engineered with 5% negative ease for a secure, comfortable fit.

Construction Technique

The Elisabeth Hat employs a unique two-stage construction method that begins with the cabled band worked sideways. This sideways construction allows for a double-layered cabled band that provides enhanced warmth and structure around the ears—a practical feature for cold-weather wear. Once the band is complete, stitches are picked up from the finished band edge, and the crown of the hat is worked in the traditional top-down manner using circular needle techniques. A non-functional decorative button is applied as a finishing detail to highlight the hat's design.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern utilizes several key knitting techniques and stitch types:

• Cable stitches form the decorative band that wraps around the lower portion of the hat
• Stockinette stitch comprises the main fabric of the crown, worked in the round
• Magic loop technique or two circular needles are used for working small circumferences in the round
• Stitch pickup connects the sideways-worked band to the top section of the hat

Materials and Specifications

The Elisabeth Hat is worked with 4-ply sock weight yarn, requiring 305 to 400 meters depending on the size selected. The pattern calls for specific needle sizes to achieve the required gauge: 2mm needles for the cabled band and 2.5mm needles (or 0.5mm larger) for the hat crown. Circular needles with magic loop capability are recommended for both sections to accommodate the small circumference knitting required for a fitted hat.

Additional materials include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, five stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and one decorative button for the finishing touch.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 10cm = 34 stitches and 50 rounds in stockinette stitch using the smaller 2mm needles. This gauge is notably tighter than standard stockinette gauge, and the pattern explicitly emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions.